Folding door



Aug. 13, #957 M. A. COLLET FOLDING DOOR Filed Nov. 10, 1953 United States Patent FOLDING DOOR Marc A. Collet, Ville Saint Laurent, Quebec, Canada, assignor to Paul Collet & Co. Ltd., Montreal, Quebec, Canada, a corporation of Quebec Application November.10, 1953, Serial No. 391,309 Claims. (Cl. 160-84) The invention relates to the construction of folding doors and, more particularly, to articles of this nature where a plurality of relatively-narrow sections are hingedly connected so that they can be folded and unfolded to provide the closure means.

While there are, at the present time, various types of folding doors. available, these in the main consist of combinations of supporting frameworks of metal and flexible covering materials or merely hinged wooden panels. The first type of construction. is fairly complicated and costly while the second type of constructionis also costly and, moreover, heavy, making it unsuitable for general'use.

The present invention aims to provide a folding door which combines the use of a flexible plastic covering material with a plurality of light rigid plates or panels to provide a simple and economical folding door construction. Essentially, the present folding door construction comprises of a plurality of light, rigid panels which are. connected by hinges formed by portions of the flexible material sothat the panels can be folded and unfolded in an accordion-pleated manner.

More specifically, a panel assembly adapted for use in a folding door construction in accordance with the invention comprises of a plurality of rigid rectangular panels which are disposed in side by side relationship with their adjacent longitudinal marginal edges hingedly interconnected by portions of flexible material which extend substantially the length of the panels. The flexible material is secured to and extends over bothsides of each of the panels with the strips or intervening portions, which are free from connection with each other, forming the hinged connections which are disposed so as to alternatively extend between and away from each adjacent pair of'longitudinal panel edges in staggered sequence with respect to the opposite sides of the panels.

Inaccordance with the present invention, a folding door construction embodying such a panel assembly is adapted for mounting in a door frame" having opposed vertical and a connecting transverseframe member. A guide track is provided which is adapted for attachment to the transverse door. frame member and means are provided on. each of the interconnected panels which are adapted to engage with the guide track so as to supportthe complete panelassembly from the top edge only. The terminal panels of each assembly are'prefer- "ice rigid plates or panels comprises of a transparent or translucent plastic film or sheet that has been treated by the depositing of colouring and flock on one side to produce a decorative material. For example, a suitable material is vinyl plastic sheet material treated as described.

It is also contemplated that other flexible materials might be employed, for example, textile fabrics, leather or other types of plastic sheeting.

In accordance with the present invention, the flexible material is combined with the rigid panels by means of the following steps so as to produce the desired alternate folding of the material relative to each panel. These steps are as follows:

A length of flexible material is laid out, a first rigid panel is. secured, preferably adhesively, on top of the sheet of flexible material and a portion of a second sheet of flexible material is secured on top of the first rigid. panel. Then a removable thin folding plate is placed on top of the second layer of flexible material with one edge extending beyond the panel and the sec- 0nd layer of foldable. material is folded back over the plate around the outstanding edge, a second rigid panel is. secured to the portion of the second sheet of material on top of the folding plate, and the first sheet of material is brought up over the first panel and folding plate on top of the second rigid panel to where it is secured. A second folding plate is placed on top of the layer of material on top of the second rigid panel and this ma-- terial is folded back over the plate as before. A third rigid panel is securedon top of this layer of material and the second layer of plastic material is then brought up and over this third panel and so forth. This sequence is carried out until a sufl'icient number of panels have been assembled to give the width of the door desired.

The flexible material, rigid panels and folding plates are. assembled in aligned sequence one above the other in a suitable jig and pressure means are provided to ensure the bonding of the flexible material to the rigid panels. As a final step, the folding plates are removed and the interconnected panels removed from the jig.

The folding plates placed between the rigid panels hold the flexible covering material in such a manner that the fold which projects beyond the rigid panels is provided on alternate sides of the assembly while the other flexible sheet passes on the exterior of this fold, also on alternate sides so that a hinging connection is provided with surplus material on the inner bends proably. narrower than the majority of the panels and one i Onepreferred flexible material used.- to cover the:

jecting between each pair of panels. The portions of material forming the hinges are entirely free of connection each from the other. This arrangement prevents the flexible material from becoming frayed or cracked due .to continuous flexing when the door is in operation.

Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, particular reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein there is shown by way of illustration apreferred embodiment thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of a door frame, having mounted therein a folding door construction in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2'is a view corresponding to Figure 1 with the folding door construction shown in folded position.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the construction shown in Figure 1 and along the line 3-3 to show the relative position of the interconnected panels when the door construction is in unfolded condition.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the construction shown in Figure 1 along the line 44 to illustrate the supporting and guiding means secured to each of the rigid panels;

Figure is an enlarged detail view in perspective elevation of a guide adapted to engage with the supporting track. Figure 6"is an enlarged detail view partiallyin sectionoftheupper'portion of the door panels and the guiding track showingthe relative position of the panel guides and track.

Figure 7 'is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the upper end of the folded assembly shown in Figure} to illustrate the relative position of the panel guides and guiding track in more detail.-

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the construction shown in Figure 2 along the line 88.'

Figure 9 is an enlarged detail view of the hinge connection between two adjacent panels to show the disposition of the flexible material when the panels are in unfolded condition. 7 V

Figure '10 is a view corresponding in location to Figure 9 with the rigid panels shown in folded condition.

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic view to show the preferred method of assembling the combination of the flexible covering material and the rigid panels to form a folding panel in accordance with the invention.

With particular reference to Figure 1 of the drawings, a folding door construction in accordance with the invention is shown as it would appear when mounted in a door frame having vertical door frame members and 12 and a transverse door frame member 14.

The folding door construction mounted in thisframework comprises essentially of a plurality of rigid panels or plates 16 which are connected by hinges of flexible material so that the panels can be folded in accordionpleated manner, as shown in Figure 2, against one verti-' cal side 12 of the door or be extended to close off the door opening as shown in Figure 1.

The assembly of the flexible panels is supported relative to the door frame members 10 and 12 by means of a guiding track 20 having inwardly extending flanges 19. The track20 is secured to the transverse frame member 14 by suitable screws 22 and acts as a support and guide for a plurality of sliding guides 24 engaged with the folding panel assembly.

The guides 24 are provided with slots 28 at each side which engage with the flanges 19 of the track and each is secured substantially centrally of each of the panels 16 by screws 26 so as to be capable of pivotal movement and also to support each panel 16 from the top edge only. The panels are also interconnected through a horizontal tape 30 of flexible material which is also secured by the screws 26 extended the tape 30 pulls the following panel, and so forth, so that when the door is fully opened each panel has been unfolded an equal amount keeping the spacing and angle equal.

The terminal panels 27, 29 and 23 are of lesser width than the remainder of the panels 16 with the panel 29 being secured to the vertical door frame member 12 by suitable screws as shown in Figure 8 and the panel 23 being hingedly connected to a closure member 25 which is provided with suitable inserts of magnetic material 33, which are adapted to be engaged by and retained through magnets inserted in the door frame member 10.

One of the main features of the present construction resides in the manner in which the rigid panels or plates 16 are connected by the flexible material. As is previso that as the panels 16 are ously described, each panel assembly making up the main portion of the door comprises of a plurality of rigid plates or panels 16 which are covered on one side by a flexible covering 18a and on the other side by a flexible covering 18b. The flexible coverings 18a and 18b are secured to the various panels 16, 19, 21 and 23, preferably by adhesive. p p

The preferred manner in which the flexible material coverings 18a and 18b are fastened to the individual rigid panels to give the panel assembly the hinged effect necessary between the individual sections is as follows:

As is shown in Figure 11, one layer of flexible material, say for example 18b, is placed on a suitable frame or jig adapted to keep the panels 16 in alignment. A first rigid panel 16 is adhesively secured to the material 18b, a second layer of flexible material 18a is brought into the jig and secured to theupper side of the first panel 16. A thin' folding spacer plate 40 is placed on top of the second layer of material 18a with one edge extending beyond the panel and the material 18a is drawn over the plate 40 and around the extended edge, leaving a fold of the flexible material extending beyond the first rigid panel 16. A second rigid panel 16 is then aligned on top of the first panel 16 and adhesively secured to the material 1811. The material 18b ,is then brought up over the second panel 16 and over the outstanding fold formed in the material 18a to be secured to the other face of the second panel 16. A further thin fold-forming plate 40 is then inserted material 18b folded around the plate 40 as previously described for the material 18a. The material 18a is then brought up. and around the folded end of the material 18b and over the second panel 16 to which it is adhesively secured. This sequence is carried on until the necessary number of rigid plates or panels have been interconnected to give the width of the door required.

The aligned stack of panels, flexible material, and fold plates is then preferably subjected to pressure by a suitable means, for example, a hydraulic ram as indicated at B, to set the folds and to secure the flexible material to the rigid panels. The assembly is then removed from the jig and the fold plates removed.

The result is a folded arrangement of flexible material having two opposed hinging portions free of connection each from the other between each adjacent pair of rigid panels as is shown in Figures 9 and 10. The hinging action between each adjacent pair of panels occurs at the extended fold indicated at 42 of the respective flexible material layers so that the wearing effect of a sharp crease on the flexible material is eliminated thus preventing the material from cracking or splitting.

As previously mentioned, in the preferred construction of a folding door in accordance with the present invention the preferred material employed for the flexible covering comprises of atreated transparent or translucent vinyl sheeting, for example, that known by the trade name of Kalistron is extremely suitable for this purpose. As previously mentioned, and as will be obvious from the accompanying drawings, other suitable flexible materials could be utilized. Folding doors can be constructed in accordance with the present invention which are light and easily and quickly installed. The simplicity of the design and construction makes them an easy item for-manufacture and a considerably less costly item from the point of view of the prospective user when compared with the prior art constructions of this nature. The use of the preferred material allows folding doors of this nature to be constructed in a variety of colours and shades to suit any required needs.

I claim:

l. A folding panel assembly adapted for use in a folding door construction; comprising, a plurality of rigid rectangular plates disposed in side by side relationship with their adjacent marginal edges hingedly interconnected by opposed spaced apart strips of flexible material, said flexible connecting strips constituting said hinge connections being secured to. and extending substantially the length and at each side of said plates along said hinge connections, said flexible strips being disposed in opposed pairs between each of said plates so as to alternatively extend between and away from each adjaas before and the cent pair of plate edges in staggered sequence with respect to the opposite sides of said plates.

2. A panel assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flexible strips are portions of complete sheets of flexible material secured to and covering both sides of each of said rigid plates.

3. A panel assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the terminal rigid plates at each end of said interconnected assembly are of lesser width than the remainder of said plates.

4. A folding door construction adapted for mounting in a door opening having opposed vertical walls and a connecting transverse top wall; said door construction comprising in combination, a guide track adapted for attachment to said transverse top wall, a plurality of narrow rectangular rigid panels hingedly connected along the adjacent longitudinal marginal edges to form a composite folding panel of sufiicient area to extend across between said opposed vertical walls, panel guiding and supporting members extending from the upper edge of each of said rigid panels adapted to be engaged with said guiding track, the hinge connections between each of said adjacent rigid panels comprising opposed strips of flexible material spaced apart each from the other and extending substantially the length of and between said panels and being secured to opposite faces of said panels along said hinge connections.

5. A folding door construction as claimed in claim 4, wherein said hinging strips are disposed so as to alternatively extend between and away from said adjacent panel edges in staggered sequence with respect to the opposite sides of said panels.

6. A folding door construction as claimed in claim 4, wherein said terminal panels are of lesser width than the remainder of said panels.

7. A folding door construction as claimed in claim 4, wherein said flexible strips are portions of sheets of flexible material adhesively secured to and completely covering both faces of each of said panels.

8. A folding door construction adapted for mounting in a door opening having a bordering framework;

comprising in combination, a guide track adapted for attachment to said door framework, a plurality of narrow rectangular rigid panels disposed in juxtaposed relationship with their adjacent longitudinal marginal edges hingedly interconnected by opposed spaced apart strips of flexible material connected to and extending substantially the length of said panels and between said adjacent panel edges on each side to constitute hinges therebetween to form a composite folding panel of sufiicient area to extend across said door opening in extended condition, a panel guiding and supporting member secured to the upper edge of each of said rigid panels adapted to be engaged with said guiding track and support each of said panels for sliding and pivotal movement relative thereto, the terminal panels of said interconnected assembly being of lesser width than the remainder of said panels and being adapted for fixed and removable attachment respectively to opposite vertical sides of said door opening framework.

9. A folding door construction as claimed in claim 8, wherein said hinging flexible strips are integral portions of sheets of flexible material adhesively secured to and covering both faces of said rigid panels.

10. A folding door construction as claimed in claim 8, wherein said flexible hinging strips are disposed so as to alternatively extend between and away from each adjacent pair of panel edges in staggered relationship with respect to opposite sides of said panels.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,877,950 Nordell Sept. 20, 1932 2,026,272 Danser Dec. 31, 1935 2,237,346 Gilfillian Apr. 8, 1941 2,431,720 Willey Dec. 2, 1947 2,442,422 Loetscher June 1, 1948 2,649,150 Hoke et al. Aug. 18, 1953 2,667,218 Collins Jan. 26, 1954 2,717,033 Breslow et al. Sept. 6, 1955 

